Suicidal Empathy by Jan Theuninck, 2026

 

acrylic on canvas, 70 x 100 cm 

Since 5 years I often think about Jonestown.... and the slogan "Do it for the other"

Suicidal empathy is a term coined by evolutionary psychologist Gad Saad in his book Suicidal Empathy: Dying To Be Kind. It describes a pathological, misdirected form of compassion where individuals or societies prioritize the feelings of others—especially marginalized groups or perceived victims—over logic, self-preservation, and long-term societal stability.

The Core Concept

• Misguided Altruism: The theory argues that humanity’s natural empathy has been "hijacked". Instead of protecting one's own family, nation, or core values, individuals begin feeling excessive compassion for outsiders or those who threaten societal norms. 
  
  Prioritizing "Out-Groups": Proponents of this concept claim that society exhibits harmful over-empathy toward groups such as illegal immigrants, violent criminals, or ideological movements, at the direct expense of their own citizens' safety and civilizational survival.
  
  Evolutionary Malfunction: Saad compares it to psychological disorders like OCD, where an evolutionarily useful trait (caring for others) goes haywire and starts causing harm to the host organism.
  
  The term has gained significant traction among conservative commentators and prominent public figures, including Elon Musk, who has used phrases like "civilizational suicidal empathy" to critique progressive liberal policies, open borders, and diversity initiatives.
  
  
  Criticism
  The concept is highly controversial and is viewed by critics and sociologists as an attempt to weaponize or dismantle the natural virtue of compassion.
  
  Compassion by Jan Theuninck, 2016:
  
  

  

  
  Universal Compassion
  To counter the danger of an ethics manufactured by state or political systems, Theuninck points back toward foundational human empathy. As detailed in his piece Compassion, he maintains that a healthy moral framework must transcend individual political groups or religious boundaries, prioritizing the baseline dignity of every person over the demands of an abstract system.

https://theuninck.blogspot.com/2016/08/compassion-jan-theuninck-2016.html